​A new PixInsight processing tutorial is now up. This one covers some basic functions in PixInsight - cropping and resizing images. Cropping is covered with the DynamicCrop and Crop processes and resizing is covered with the Resample process. Resampling an image can be particularly important for preparing images for publication online or in print. If you would like to read this tutorial, follow this link to it. 

In line with my plans to finish working through a list of PixInsight tutorials on techniques and workflows before starting post-processing examples, this is my latest tutorial. This one is initially based on a technique presented a while back by Rogelio Bernal Andreo, on star size reduction. The procedure produces a much higher contrast between the stars and the important features such as nebulosity. Furthermore, the tutorial covers a technique for removing stars completely. This is particularly appealing for narrowband images in terms of producing very striking images of pure nebulosity (plus a handful of large stars, if desired). 

Due to popularity, I thought it would be a good idea to update the AstroTortilla tutorial. The settings recommendations have been altered slightly, to be less accurate to your actual field of view. For example, entering 0.525 and 0.655 degrees into Scale minimum and Scale maximum may be pretty exact, but I have found it better to just enter 0.5 and 0.7 degrees (in terms of plate solving successes). The screenshots have been updated accordingly. ​

It is my great pleasure to invite you to my new website, the Light Vortex Astronomy you already know, but version 2.0. Light Vortex Astronomy is technically no longer just a blog - it is a full-blown website. As you may have already noticed, the default landing page is the Blog page. This keeps with tradition and gives readers a heads-up of what is new, including new tutorials, new articles, etc. Blog posts are no longer displayed in full as you see them listed. They are listed, as this one is, with a Read More link. Ensure you click the Read More link on the post you are interested in reading.